Snow White and the Bloodhounds

Chapter Six

As Miki stood there she listened to the waves fall over each other. Even with the ambient noise though Sterling's words echoed in her head. She would never have to kill anyone if she didn't want to. Even then though she wouldn't have the heart unless someone truly hurt her. In reality that was about everyone she had encountered but Miki ignored the idea of it. She couldn't harm a fly and she knew this. After about a minute or two Miki stepped back and sat in the sand far enough so the tide would reach her feet. She didn't really mind getting sand on herself. her skirt covered all of her legs and feet for the most part. Miki glanced back at Sterling a few times, it looked like he had been smiling, she wondered what he was thinking. He had seemed upset before but now it seemed like things were going to be okay.

When she heard Sterling's voice it was like all the sounds of the world flooded back in. "I'm sorry what-" when Miki turned around this time Sterling was undressing she quickly turned back around. "What are you thinking?!" Miki could feel her face turning red. She quickly covered her face with her hands. "I think I'm good!" Miki hadn't seen anything but it still felt weird to just see someone undress like that! Once Miki heard Sterling get in the water she peaked through her hands and dropped them once he was fully in. Her face was still a light pink she knew had stripped in front of him before but that wasn't the main concern anymore. She got lucky the first time he never mentioned the scar on her back but now he'd probably notice it.

Miki couldn't help but stare. She knew the feelings were there but she didn't want to admit them. It could easily cause issues if anyone found out. Plus Miki knew he was a little bit of a flirt so she could be wrong thinking he felt the same. She just kept staring though he looked.. 'Oh my god doesn't even have those thoughts!' Miki thought this quickly looking away. She felt like a teenager going through something like this. There was only one last thing Miki had to do though before she could move into a life like this and continue on being there for Sterling. Slowly Miki pulled an old phone out of her pocket. It was the one that she had used to contact Sterling but also other clients. This phone had a tracker on it and only worked when the phone was on. Quickly she split the flip phone in two and buried it in the sand. She was free and no one else was going to hurt her.

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"What?"

Sterling put his hands on his hips and cocked his head to the side. The waves rose only inches above his lower abdomen, just enough to cover sensitive parts.

"Never seen someone at the beach naked?" He joked.

God, the blush on her cheeks and the matching colour of her lips drove him insane. He wanted to reach out his arms and hold her face in his hands. Butterflies set off inside his stomach. Sterling looked down at her feet, glad the sunglasses covered his staring gaze. What was it that made her look like a princess? Not the dress, no. Her hair? Her beautiful big eyes? Her little nose, the full cheeks, the small chin perhaps? Was it the sum of her entire being?

He turned his face towards the sun and sighed. He didn't want to think of anything right now. No pain, no responsibilities, nothing. Just him, Miki, the sun and the beach. Why couldn't life always be like this? Enjoyable and calm. He wondered what he'd be like if he hadn't been cornered by bad incidents and forced to give up everything including himself. Who would he be now instead? Maybe he wouldn't have had his spinach head. A smile grew on his lips. That would have been such a shame.

Sterling turned around when he heard something snap. He watched Miki bury the phone under the sand and jokingly said, "you're the reason the ocean is polluted."
When he headed towards Miki, he slipped and sunk head-first into the water. Gasping, he pulled his head over the surface. His hair stuck to his face like seaweed. He pushed the strand away, then he locked eyes with Miki and laughed.